Cheeks and nasolabial folds; wish my cheeks were firmer with no nasolabial folds? (Photos)

Question

I have always had fat cheeks or generally fat face compared to my slim body. While I know thick cheeks are a good thing, there is just something wrong with mine, as if they are too lose, and I have deep nasolabial folds. I've always had that, not just as aging problem. I was considering fillers but I dont want them to make my head look even "fatter". Is my bone structure the problem? Skin type? I like my chubby cheeks coz they make me look younger but I wish they were firmer & no nasolabial folds.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

I recommend fillers to soften the nasolabial folds themselves and also lift around the mouth and cheeks to build underlying anatomical support. In our practice we combine Sculptra with other fillers "layered" on top and lasers, skin tightening treatments such as Thermage, Fractora, and Renuvion (J Plasma), thread lifting,  and peels to get the most conservative, natural look. I suggest seeing a facial sculpting expert for a formal consultation. Best, Dr. Emer

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

Hello Vaxsum.I think you're a great candidate for dermal filler. I would likely use Restylane Lyft on your cheeks (1 syringe per side) and then Restylane-L or Juvederm Ultra in the laugh lines.You should have a formal evaluation with a board certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist for best results. Best wishes, Dr. ALDO :)

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD (retired) · Answer

Hi, I have performed many facial shaping procedures using dermal fillers, facial implants (cheek, chin), liposuction and/or facelifts for over 30 years.  Non smiling photos of your face from the front and side would help the most in evaluating the cheek bone and the amount of fat surrounding them.  From the smiling photos, your cheeks have quite a bit of fat over them which may indeed indicate that the cheek bone itself is either fat or concave in the front segment of the cheek.  Cheek bones that are full and round in the front, tend to support cheek fatty tissue making it far less likely that it will sag (be pulled by gravity) towards the nose and mouth which is how the nasolabial folds are created.  
 Following my beauty principles women look the most feminine, youthful and attractive with heart shaped faces.  Heart shaped faces have cheeks that are full and round in the front.  Cheek augmentation with a dermal filler or using cheek implants for a permanent enhancement will create full, round cheeks that will feminize the entire face.  In the case of excess fat surrounding the cheek with cheek bones that are flat, it makes more sense to reduce the excess fat with liposuction along with augmentation of the cheek bone itself with silastic cheek implants of the proper aesthetic size and shape.  I would like to mention that proper placement of the cheek implant is also "key" in creating the desired heart shaped face.  The other point that I would like to make is that even though a dermal filler could fill in your nasiolabial folds to minimize their appearance...fillers "add" volume which means they make things bigger, not smaller.  Done by itself, this would increase the overall size of the cheeks which can make the mid face appear over-sized and out of balance.Hope this helps

Cheeks and nasolabial folds; wish my cheeks were firmer with no nasolabial folds? (Photos)

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Everything you need to know about Cheek Lift

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Cheeks and nasolabial folds; wish my cheeks were firmer with no nasolabial folds? (Photos)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Cheek Lift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.